Moments That Matter
The Society's photo competition that never closes. Enter your moments with your horse at any time, all year round, as often as you like, and win a free year of WES membership.
- 4Free memberships a year
- 4Seasons judged each year
- NoneClosing date
Moments That Matter is the Society's photo competition, and it never closes. It celebrates our members and their western journey: the moments with your horse that mean the most, in the show ring and far beyond it.
Every WES member can enter, at any time of year, as often as they like. There is no closing date and no limit on how many photos you send in.
From your photo to the winner
Enter whenever you like
Sign in, open Photos and send in your photo with a short caption. It goes into the gallery once it has been checked.
One entry counts all year
The year is judged four times, once a season, and each judging draws on every photo entered so far that calendar year. A photo entered in January is in the running four times.
Members choose the shortlist
At the end of each season, members vote for their favourites, and the most-voted photos make the shortlist.
Council picks the winner
Council chooses each season's winner from the members' shortlist.
Then it begins again
On 1 January a new year starts, with four new chances to win.
Four chances every year
Members vote once a season has ended, and the winner is announced as soon as Council has chosen.
Winter
January to March.
Spring
April to June.
Summer
July to September.
Autumn
October to December.
Prizes, and your photo on the cover
Winners, members' favourites and the best of the gallery are shared on the website, in the newsletter and on the Society's social media, so members across the country see your story.
Every season
The winner receives a free year of WES membership, adult or youth. That is four free memberships every year.
Every year
One photo is chosen for the front cover of the WES newsletter, the front cover of the printed WES Journal and a feature on the website.
Now and then
WES sponsors and supporters donate extra gifts and prizes for themed features and seasonal highlights.
What makes a good entry
Showing, training, trail riding, youth riding, horsemanship, or simply everyday life with your horse: if it matters to you, it belongs here. Every photo is checked before it goes in the gallery, to make sure it reflects WES values and is right for the Society's pages.
When you enter, you say where your photo may be used and whether your name is shown with it. If a young person is in the photo, a parent or guardian confirms it too.
Why we run it
Western riding is about more than results and rosettes. It is about progress, partnership, community, learning and pride. Many of the moments that mean most happen away from the main arena, and they deserve to be seen.
Moments That Matter is part of Beyond the Arena, which brings visible value to members all year round, wherever and however they take part in WES.
The next winner could be yours
Enter a photo whenever you like, and see every entry so far in the gallery.